Regresar

Effectiveness of a desensitizing agent before in-office tooth bleaching in restored teeth

Abstract:

Objectives: The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the effectiveness and tooth sensitivity associated with bleaching in patients with composite restorations in anterior teeth after the application of a desensitizing agent. Material and methods: Bleaching was performed with 35 % hydrogen peroxide gel in 30 patients with composite restorations in anterior teeth, divided according to the prior application of a desensitizing agent (De), or a placebo (Pl), on maxillary superior teeth. Color was recorded at baseline, 1 week after each session and 6 months after treatment. The experience of tooth sensitivity (TS) was recorded on an NRS (0-4) during bleaching and 24 h after each session. Bleaching effectiveness was evaluated by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (α = 0.05). The percentage of TS was evaluated by Fisher's exact test. For each treatment, periods were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (α = 0.05), and at each period, treatments were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Both groups showed similar tooth color enhancement and color stability after 6 months (p < 0.05). No significant difference in prevalence of sensitivity was detected between groups (p < 0.001). Higher TS intensity (median [first/third quartiles]) was observed for Pl (1.5 [1/1.75]) compared with De (0.5 [0/1]) during treatment (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The use of a desensitizing gel (5 % potassium nitrate, 2 % sodium fluoride) before tooth bleaching in patients with composite restorations did not reduce the prevalence of tooth sensitivity, but reduced the intensity of TS during bleaching. Clinical relevance: Although the use of a desensitizing agent before bleaching, in patients with composite resin restorations, did not reduce the prevalence of TS, a reduction of the TS intensity during the protocol was observed without jeopardizing the whitening outcome. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.